| The rise of fast food restaurants in the world is a | | | | teach values through their respective institutions. |
| current phenomenon. McDonald's was the first | | | | Churches teach biblical values for how people |
| major chain, and it stood unchallenged for many | | | | should live their lives. "For the fruit of the spirit is |
| years providing inexpensive fast food and an | | | | love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness,,,... |
| entertainment experience. The market exploded | | | | and self control" is an often quoted verse that |
| suddenly, with a numerous variety of franchises | | | | names virtuous qualities for people to develop in |
| spreading to the reaches of North America and | | | | themselves. There are also many parables that |
| eventually to the world. Although the fast food | | | | teach about making right decisions. Beyond |
| restaurant is a product of modern culture, it has | | | | believing in God, Jesus and the sacrifice of the |
| remarkable similarities to church. This may sound | | | | cross, people are encouraged to strive for good |
| like an outrageous statement, but consider the | | | | qualities so that they can be good people. |
| likeness of their history, beginning with the official | | | | Fast food restaurants teach values, although it is |
| Catholic Church which "stood unchallenged for | | | | done more implicitly. They encourage cleanliness |
| many years"; then numerous other denominations | | | | and responsibility by expecting people to clean up |
| were created. Today, churches and fast food | | | | after themselves. The words "Thank You" on the |
| restaurants have an easily recognizable physical | | | | garbage receptacles are an encouragement to |
| structure and a set of consistent routines and | | | | dispose of your waste instead of leaving it on the |
| procedures. They also both teach desirable values | | | | table. Kindness is also exemplified through their |
| through their interaction with society. | | | | advertising slogans. Dairy Queen has trademarked |
| Churches are easily recognized by their outward | | | | the slogan, "We treat you right." McDonald's uses |
| appearance: some are very ornate stone with | | | | the slogans, "We like to see you smile" and "The |
| spires, bells and stain glassed windows, while | | | | smiles are free." These are feel good, positive |
| others have a simpler or conservative | | | | statements that encourage the consumer to |
| construction. Each denomination has a distinct | | | | respond in kind. |
| appearance that is duplicated in the towns and | | | | Both institutions are involved in charity, collecting |
| cities of North America; likewise, restaurants are | | | | money for worthy causes that will help people. |
| easily recognizable. Even a child can spot the | | | | Churches collect money through collections to |
| 'Golden Arches' of a McDonald's from a distance. | | | | offer programs to the people in their community, |
| Just as there are numerous flavours of churches, | | | | while fast food restaurants provide change |
| there are also many different fast food | | | | receptacles at the cash where you can donate to |
| franchises, that offer a customized menu and | | | | various charities. These are ways that both |
| atmosphere. Each restaurant has an individual | | | | institutions teach values to the people who |
| style, but they are all colourful, stylish buildings | | | | frequent them. |
| with bright, large windows. | | | | Although there are many striking similarities |
| The inside of franchised restaurants are | | | | between churches and fast food restaurants, |
| decorated in the same style, just like in churches | | | | there are also differences. While church is offered |
| of the same denomination. There are standard | | | | at fixed times during the week, fast food |
| decorating and furniture by franchise or | | | | restaurants have lengthy and flexible hours. It's |
| denomination. For example, churches have seating | | | | very convenient to eat dinner quickly, |
| in a main hall or sanctuary where sermons are | | | | inexpensively, and without the work of preparing |
| received. In a Catholic Church there will be | | | | it. Church services are offered at fixed times and |
| wooden pews in rows, whereas in a Brethren | | | | it's unlikely you will get out of there quickly. As |
| Church there will be modern cushioned chairs, | | | | well, going to church is meant to meet a spiritual |
| placed in an arrangement of sections and rows. | | | | need, while going to a fast food restaurant is |
| Likewise, all fast food franchises have fixed | | | | meant to meet a physical need. At the restaurant |
| seating of tables, chairs, and bench seating, but | | | | you are feeding your body, but at church you are |
| each has its own manner and style of arranging | | | | feeding your soul. Attending church helps people |
| the seating. Inside or out, fast food restaurants | | | | maintain a balanced life, while going to fast food |
| and churches are easily recognized by their | | | | restaurants merely provides an unhealthy meal, |
| physical appearance. | | | | which contributes to an unbalanced diet. |
| Both institutions have predictable routines and | | | | One experience is free, but the other has a cost. |
| procedures that are followed by the people who | | | | You can willingly give a donation or politely decline |
| go there. When going to a church service, you | | | | during offering, but at any fast food chain you will |
| are greeted by an usher; likewise, when going to | | | | not be given food unless you pay. Fast food |
| a fast food restaurant you are greeted by a | | | | restaurants are money making ventures, in |
| server. Both can be visited alone, with family or | | | | contrast to the non-profit nature of churches. The |
| with friend, and offer a social aspect as well. | | | | restaurant owner offers this food and service to |
| During both social experiences, you will consume | | | | make a living; whereas, the minister or priest is |
| food and drink. During the church service you will | | | | collecting money to use for the physical or |
| take communion, bread and wine, and during your | | | | spiritual service of others. It may be argued that |
| restaurant experience you will eat a meal of your | | | | the church overseer also receives a salary, but |
| choice. One feeds the body, while the other feeds | | | | idealistically the salary is given for self-less service |
| the soul. | | | | and not personal gain. |
| Routines will vary by denomination or franchise, | | | | I have presented this comparison to a variety of |
| but will be consistent in each. For example, all | | | | different people over the last few years. |
| church services involve singing, preaching, offering, | | | | Curiously, the initial reaction of most people was |
| and praying, but the order and style will vary by | | | | to adamantly argue against the idea that these |
| denomination. A Baptist Church service generally | | | | institutions were similar. The main reason for their |
| begins with a couple hymns and an opening | | | | persistent protesting was that they thought it |
| prayer. Then announcements, special music, and | | | | was heresy to make this comparison - between |
| scripture reading before the sermon. Sermon. | | | | the modern, pagan fast food establishments and |
| Closing prayer and/or hymn. It's a predictable | | | | rituals and the long-standing Christian churches |
| experience. Attending a Catholic Mass will be | | | | whose establishment and rituals' purpose is to |
| different from a Baptist service, but it will be | | | | reunite the human race with God. For many |
| equally predictable each week. | | | | people, the comparison becomes intensely |
| Likewise, going to McDonald's involves getting in | | | | personal and they feel that it's wrong. |
| line at the counter, ordering your food, taking | | | | Overall, there is a sense of strangeness in the |
| your tray to your table while picking up napkins, | | | | similarities that exist between fast food |
| ketchup, straws, etc., on the way, eating, and | | | | restaurants and churches. The remarkable likeness |
| cleaning up your own mess. Then kids can play, | | | | between the two should not be surprising as they |
| while the adults relax. No matter what McDonald's | | | | were an invention of people who have been |
| you visit the experience will be the same. Going | | | | raised in a church-going society. Whether they are |
| to Burger King provides relatively the same | | | | active, religious church goers or not, they cannot |
| experience, but the food, atmosphere, and play | | | | help but be implicitly affected by this pervasive |
| items will vary. You could be dropped into a | | | | institution. People are comfortable with |
| church or fast food restaurant blindfolded, and it's | | | | predictability; thus each familiar experience, |
| absolutely certain that you'll know what's | | | | whether in church or a fast food restaurant, is like |
| expected of you when the blindfold is removed! | | | | an old familiar shoe. |
| Finally, both churches and fast food restaurants | | | | |